The rich history of Celtic music reflects centuries of culture in the British Isles and Ireland as well as in North America. These 23 selections span a wide spectrum of sounds, with well-known early recordings (Margaret Dirrane's "'Twas Early, Early in the Spring" and Joe Heaney's "The Rocks of Bawn"), the previously unissued "Derry Hornpipe" recorded live at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and tunes by top contemporary interpreters in styles ranging from Sligo fiddle tunes to Northumbrian piping to sean-nůs singing. Highlights include Sarah Makem's "As I Roved Out," Billy Pigg's "Border Spirit," Willie Clancy's "Trip O'er the Mountain," Tom Byrne's "The Galway Rambler," Ewan MacColl's "Glenlogie," Jean Carignan's "Bonnie Kate / Jenny's Chickens," Isla Cameron's "Bushes and Briars," Lucy Stewart's "Tifty's Annie," Shirley Collins' "The Queen of May," and Patrick Clancy's "The Bonny Bunch of Roses."